Councillor at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Blogging about issues in Blythe Ward (Monkspath, Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green) and Solihull.
I have been asked to explain a bit more about precepts, something added to our council tax bills. Funding for the police comes both directly from a central government grant and from the police precept. The policing precept is the amount we contribute to local policing through our council tax bill. The precept varies across … More POLICE PRECEPTS – comparisons
I have previously mentioned the issues that relate to the Call for Sites and Widney Manor Golf Club. This post relates to a few other submissions nearby, off Widney Manor Road. I am conscious that some may be concerned about what has been put forward by developers/landowners. However, there is no certainty of any of … More Call for Sites – Widney Manor Road
I have mentioned previously my plea for the NHS to seek more substantial sums to address the extra demand in primary and secondary care that will arise through more development. One big complaint from existing residents is that, if its difficult to get a doctor’s appointment now, then what will it be like when we … More NHS S106 SUBMISSIONS – Blythe ward sites
This was presented at Solihull Council yesterday evening by Dr Sue Ross, Independent Chair Solihull Safeguarding Adults Board. The board does some fantastic work and the report is very readable; there is a an ‘easy read version posted as well. It is clear that with an every increasing older population (see Ageing Well report – … More Solihull Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report2024-2025
A few debates at council last night over a motion to ask two scrutiny boards to revisit the selection of who is to chair the respective scrutiny boards for the remainder of the municipal year. The two scrutiny boards are: Education and Children’s Service, and the Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services scrutiny board. The issue … More A BIT OF CLARIFICATION
I thought this may be useful for residents to know more about. Anyone can object to a planning application, it does help if the objector has connections with the site concerned. We have seen petitions signed by people objecting to applications in the ward who live abroad! To start with, there has to be a … More OBJECTING TO PLANNING/DEVELOPMENTS
I have mentioned this in a previous post but feel it necessary to come back to you with a few concerns I have and ask if you agree with me. Call for Sites reference CFS/24/299 refers to ‘Solihull Golf Club’ but we know it as Widney Manor Golf club. The site has been put forward for consideration for … More WIDNEY MANOR GOLF CLUB – Call for Sites
Following a second round of inflation-busting fare rises since he took office the West Midlands Mayor’s pledge for Bus Transformation is not going too well, This month saw a rise of 30% in the price of the cheapest commute to and from work. This contrasts with the previous mayor, Andy Street, who managed to keep … More Double whammy for West Mids bus users
The annual public health report is before the councils Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board next week. This year’s report focuses on Healthy Ageing in Solihull, with the topic having a high priority. Ageing Well is a really important issue for Solihull. Of 309 local authorities in England, only 41 have a greater proportion … More Director of Public Health – Solihull Annual Report 2025/26
Many will have known Albert, a D Day veteran and a real hero living amongst us until he passed away last year. I later approached his widow, Betty and daughter, Karen, to get their permission for Albert to be honoured with a street named after him. With the Armed Forces Community Garden being in Monkspath … More ALBERT PRICE WAY, SOLIHULL.
Ken Hawkins 